The 9th Annual Arts Work Cocktail Reception and Art Auction

Hosted by 96.1 JOY FM's Alexis Williams, this event displays the complex and ambitious work of the artists of Autistic Services Inc. on Friday, October 7^th from 6 to 9PM at Asbury Hall. The artwork produced as a result of the Arts Work Program at Autistic Services Inc. will be displayed and auctioned to the public. Asbury Hall is located at 341 Delaware Avenue near Tupper.

 In addition to the silent and live auctions, Arts Work 2011 will honor their highly acclaimed artist James Marino who created a series of watercolors revealing how he perceives Buffalo’s architectural landmarks and popular places. “Since he was a little boy art has always been a way for James to make sense of his world.”  Says Dana Ranke, Teaching Artist at Autistic Services Inc. “As he matured, James became increasingly interested in depicting complex structural imagery and his local architecture series developed. James is inspired by Buffalo’s urban landscape.” The result is an extraordinary and sophisticated body of work.

 “The Arts Work Program has given our participants a voice.” says Veronica Federiconi, Executive Director of Autistic Services. “The benefits of Arts Work are twofold: It gives our artists the opportunity to interact with the community in a way in which they are comfortable, and it gives the community a chance to appreciate people with autism and all they have to offer. It also gives parents and families a chance to see their children celebrated by a broader public audience.” A number of ASI artists have been exhibiting and revealing to spectators what society looks like through their eyes. Over the last nine years Autistic Services Inc. has mounted over 50 exhibitions of artwork throughout the community, produced as a result of ASI’s innovative Arts Work program.

 Aside from the Art Auction there will be a Live Auction, a basket raffle and electronics raffle highlighting an HDTV with built in DVD Player from CDW-G; a Toshiba Net Book with Intel Processor from Best Buy; and a $100 Gift Card from The Advantage Company.

 Proceeds from the Arts Work Auction benefit Autistic Services Inc. To make reservations and purchase tickets, log-on to www.friendsofasi.org.

 ABOUT ARTS WORK: 

The Arts Work Program at Autistic Services, Inc. was created by Executive Director Veronica Federiconi in the fall of 2002. The Arts Work mission is to give people with Autism the opportunity to get involved in the visual and performing arts. Communication is one of the main challenges our participants face day-to-day; visual art provides them with a way to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas.